As autumn comes into sight, we can’t help but feel excited to share with you this classic must-try pumpkin spice Kombucha recipe. It gives Kombucha a delightfully sweet, warm, and flavorful taste that is perfect for the cozy season. Moreover, the ingredients are cost-effective and widely available all year round so you can have your pumpkin spice Kombucha fix whenever you want.
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Health Benefits
Pumpkin
Pumpkin is loaded with fiber, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that work together to nourish the body. It is known to boost immunity and help the body fight infections. It is also good for eye health and may protect against age-related macular degeneration. Moreover, eating pumpkins regularly may have positive effects on skin and heart health, reduce blood pressure, and improve metabolic health. The antioxidants in pumpkin may protect the skin against damage and improve skin appearance as well.
Pumpkin Spice
Pumpkin spice is a kind of spice blend that is composed of cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, allspice, and cloves. Each of these spices is packed with vitamins and minerals and associated with various health benefits.
Cinnamon contains antioxidants that protect cells from damage. It may also help in diabetes and controlling blood sugar. On the other hand, nutmeg contains fiber that soothes indigestion and other vitamins and minerals that can detoxify the body and boost skin health and the immune system.
Like cinnamon and nutmeg, ginger is also a powerful ingredient of pumpkin spice. It has various healthy components that strengthen immune health and help relieve digestive problems and flu symptoms. Another great spice in this blend is the allspice. Allspice is known to help relieve pain, increase blood circulation, reduce inflammation, and lower blood pressure. Additionally, pumpkin spice contains cloves that aid in regulating blood sugar and inhibiting the growth of bacteria. They are full of antioxidants that protect the cells as well.
How To Make Pumpkin Spice Kombucha
Pumpkin spice Kombucha is easy to make and doesn’t require a lot of preparation. All you need are pumpkin puree, pumpkin spice, and Kombucha that has finished its first fermentation.
Kombucha is a healthy fermented beverage that mainly undergoes two fermentation processes namely first fermentation (F1) and second fermentation (F2). During the first fermentation of Kombucha, the sweet tea is converted to Kombucha by the Kombucha culture or SCOBY. After completing the first fermentation, Kombucha undergoes second fermentation for flavoring and carbonation. If it’s your first time doing a second fermentation at home, you may check our complete guide here.
Pumpkin Spice Kombucha Recipe
Equipment
- 1 Homebrewing kit This is for 1st fermentation
- 1 Heating mat This is for 1st fermentation
- 1 Boochsleeve This is for 1st fermentation
- 1 Bottlebrush kit To clean your bottles
- 6 Bottles (16 oz.) or 2 Growlers (½ gallon)
- 1 Funnel For the 2nd fermentation process
- 1 Mesh strain colander For the 2nd fermentation process
- 1 PBW cleaner To clean your bottles
- 1 Blender
Ingredients
- 1 gal Kombucha
- 1 cup Pumpkin puree ($0.23 per oz.)
- 4 tsp Pumpkin spice ($4.13 per oz.) or 1 tsp. Cinnamon, ½ tsp. Nutmeg, 2 tsp. Grated ginger, 2 tsp. Allspice, ½ tsp. Cloves
Instructions
- Clean your bottlesDilute the PBW cleaner as instructed on the instructions or label.Scrub your bottles with your bottlebrush kit and diluted cleaner. Rinse and dryyour bottles thoroughly before adding any ingredients.
- Prepare your ingredients You can use canned pumpkin puree for more convenience. Simplymeasure 1 cup of pumpkin puree in a bowl and add your pumpkin spice. Mixthoroughly until well combined. You may also make your pumpkin puree if you have more time. To dothis, simply place pumpkin pieces on a baking sheet and bake in the oven at 350℉ for 40 to 45 minutes until they are fork tender. Let the piecescool down and peel off their skins. Puree your pumpkin with ¼ to ½ cup Kombuchaliquid using a blender. Add your pumpkin spice into the blender and blend oncemore to mix thoroughly. Divide your mixed flavoring into six portions and get ready tobottle.
- Add one portion of flavoring into each bottleUsing a funnel, add one portion of your flavoring into eachbottle. Feel free to adjust the amount of flavoring in each bottle depending onyour taste preference. Just make sure to not add more than 2 oz. of flavoringper bottle.
- Fill your bottle with Kombucha liquid Pour the Kombucha liquid slowly into the bottle. You may strainthe excess yeast of the Kombucha liquid before bottling using a mesh straincolander or a smaller sieve. Make sure to leave about ½ to 1 inch of headspacein your bottles to achieve good carbonation. Give your Kombucha bottle a slight shake to mix the ingredients.Set aside the remaining Kombucha liquid and use it as a starter tea on yournext brew.
- Ferment Shut your bottles tightly to ensure good carbonation buildup.Store your bottled Kombucha in a fermentation station that has room temperaturebetween 60℉ to 85℉. Ferment your Kombucha for 3 to 14 daysdepending on the carbonation and your preferred taste. If you are havingtrouble keeping the temperature warm for your ferments, you may use a heatingmat.
- Store your finished Kombucha in therefrigerator Once your bottled Kombucha reaches that perfect sweet, tart, andspicy blend for you, move and keep them in the refrigerator. The cold temperaturein the refrigerator can inhibit the fermentation process and preserve yourdesired Kombucha flavor for up to three months.
- Serve and enjoy As you serve your bottled Kombucha, you may see floating residuesfrom the yeast and flavoring. If these residues make you uncomfortable, feelfree to strain them before serving.
How to level up the taste
Pumpkin spice Kombucha is already a treat on its own but there are some things you can do to elevate its taste.
A great way to level up the taste of this healthy autumn beverage is by adding vanilla. Vanilla naturally gives Kombucha a sweeter taste and subtle creaminess that makes it more flavorful and enjoyable. Adding it to pumpkin spice Kombucha is also very easy. Simply add 2 tsp. of vanilla to your mixed pumpkin puree and pumpkin spice. Mix thoroughly and proceed to bottle.
You may also serve pumpkin spice Kombucha with some honey and maple syrup to give it extra sweetness. This can make pumpkin spice more appealing for both experienced and new Kombucha drinkers.
Featured Product
The Spiritude All Spice Kombucha features the flavor of nutmeg powder and cloves tea. It is made with zero artificial flavorings and filled with health-promoting properties. It is fizzy, flavorful, and good for your gut. Unfortunately, this Kombucha product is mostly sold in India. Nevertheless, it remains to be one of the must-try spice-flavored Kombuchas. Moreover, it may be available in Indian groceries and Asian markets in the US.
Pigeon Cove Blueberry Cinnamon Kombucha features cinnamon which is a common ingredient of pumpkin spice. It is fruity and made with organic ingredients that are good for the gut and overall health. Furthermore, it is great to enjoy all seasons.
